How to Grow Peruvian Lilies From an Existing Plant

Peruvian lily blossoms are trumpet-shaped with spotted throats.

Peruvian lily's (Alstroemeria spp.) common name is a puzzle as it is native to Chile rather than Peru, and the plant is not a member of the lily family. In spite of the confusing name, the plants produce an abundance of summer flowers in shades of red, rose, yellow, orange and creamy white. After the flowers fade, seed pods form. Use the seeds they contain to start new plants. The plants are winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 7 through 10.

Collecting Seeds

1

Harvest Peruvian lily seed pods when they are dry and brown.

2

Position a screen so air flows freely around it. Spread the seed pods in a single layer on the screen to dry. Drying time depends on the humidity and air flow.

3

Remove the seeds from the pods when they are dry and hard.

4

Place the seeds in a jar with a tight-fitting lid for storage.

Planting Seeds

1

Soak the seeds in warm water for 12 hours before planting them.

2

Fill peat pots with soilless seed starting mixture and set them in a tray. Moisten the soil and pour off the excess water that collects in the tray. Keep the pots moist at all times.

3

Place five or more seeds in the center of each pot. Peruvian lilies typically have a low germination rate. Placing several seeds in each pot improves that chances of having a seed germinate.

4

Sprinkle just enough soil over the top of each pot to cover the seeds.

5

Place the pots in a location out of direct sunlight. Peruvian lilies germinate best at room temperature. They develop roots first, followed by top growth later on. It may take quite a while to develop top growth. Germination time is inconsistent, so don’t discard the pots that don’t have roots.

6

Place the tray of pots in a sunny window once top growth appears.

7

Fertilize with liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength two weeks after top growth appears. Continue to fertilizer the plants every two weeks until you transplant them outdoors.

8

Transplant seedlings outdoors a month or so after top growth appears in spring or fall. If the season is inappropriate, you can grow them as a potted plant until transplanting time.

Things You Will Need

Screen

Glass jar with lid

Peat pots

Soilless seed-starting mix

Trays

Liquid houseplant fertilizer

Tip

Germination can take as little as 15 days and may take several months. Don’t give up on them too soon.

Peruvian lilies don’t like their roots disturbed. Transplant them into the garden or a flower pot without removing the peat pot.

About the Author

Jackie Carroll has been a freelance writer since 1995. Her home-and-garden and nature articles have appeared in "Birds & Blooms" and "Alamance Today." She holds a Bachelor of Science in medical technology from the University of North Carolina.